He couldn’t argue against it.

    Kiaros bit his lower lip anxiously, then finally couldn’t take it anymore and asked his aide.

    “If the other person likes A more... but A is actually B in disguise, then would it be better to confess as B? Or as A?”

    “So it was a romance issue, huh. One moment, please.”

    The aide, though occasionally lacking in social tact, was undeniably competent. He hadn’t gotten to that position by luck alone, having passed through fierce competition.

    He’d long worried about the Crown Prince’s unrequited love and had, in preparation, gathered extensive information on the subject.

    Upon hearing a rumor that the Scroll Department housed a master of romance theory, he’d already compiled every piece of advice into a formal report.

    He opened the thick dossier and flipped to the section titled “Confession.”

    “Hmm... There’s no specific advice for that exact case. But it does say you shouldn’t attempt a confession.”

    Kiaros had already witnessed the outcome of such attempts twice firsthand.

    Victor had made two attempts to confess to Namia—both ended in utter defeat.

    “That kind of approach is called a confession attack. In most cases, the target takes such massive emotional damage that they go out of their way never to appear before the confessor again.”

    “??.”

    “Oh, wait, here’s an adapted version. ‘A confession recommended only as a last resort when you''re completely emotionally wrecked.’”

    The aide continued brightly.

    “You say, ‘Actually, I liked you a lot. But I’m trying to forget now. I just wanted to express it one last time, so don’t worry about it—just live well,’ and then walk away coolly.”

    “What? Walk away?”

    “Yes. That’s why it’s a last resort, right? If the other person had even a little interest, apparently it drives them nearly mad.”

    “No.”

    Kiaros said flatly.

    “Absolutely not.”

    Thinking the aide’s report wasn’t of much use, he waved him off.

    Forget her? Leave her? What nonsense. He couldn’t even say it as a lie.

    He wouldn’t have enough time even if he cajoled her, flattered her, and begged her to stay by his side.

    “The master says you need to show interest before attempting a confession. That means making moves or flirting, I suppose?”

    Kiaros slowly rested his chin on his hand.

    In truth, he had refrained from approaching Namia as the Crown Prince because it felt deceitful. That’s why he hadn’t flirted or made any obvious moves. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But the same was true for Kibon. Even in that form, he hadn’t been able to fully express himself.

    “Um, but... going back to the A and B problem.”

    As Kiaros fell into thought, the aide cautiously spoke up.

    “You’ve been concealing your identity and maybe writing letters to Miss Namia, right? In that case, the discrepancy between A and B is too great.”

    “She figured out it’s Namia?”

    “Yes. Sorry, but I do have that much intuition.”

    The aide answered loyally.

    “Maybe you should start dropping hints gradually?”

    “Hints??.”

    He looked down again at the note he’d been fiddling with.

    All the traps are ready, and we’re about to capture the spy. Would you be willing to join us?

    He already knew the answer.

    The Dragonblood’s special abilities were kept secret even from family.

    So he couldn’t reveal that Kibon was Kiaros. He had to say that Kibon had left and then approach her in the form of Kiaros.

    No matter how close Namia and Kibon had become.

    That way, Namia would never feel betrayed. But...

    [Ah, that bench is pretty. So nature-friendly. Let’s definitely sit there together before I leave the palace.]

    Then would Namia’s first date invitation disappear?

    He didn’t want that.

    While he was stewing over this, the aide spoke again.

    “If there’s too much to confess all at once, wouldn’t it be better to start with the less serious things?”

    Kiaros folded his arms. That actually sounded pretty reasonable.

    He tried to picture what it would look like to confess everything now.

    [Actually, I didn’t trust you, Namia Roafi.]

    [Ah, I understand.]

    [So I watched you while disguised as Kibon.]

    At that point, Namia would show a startled expression once—and then promptly shut down emotionally. He knew her well; the outcome was obvious.

    [You get it, right? I’m Kibon.]

    [Ah, yes.]

    [But I truly like you.]

    [Ah, yes.]

    [What about you, Namia?]

    [His Highness the Crown Prince is a really good person, but??.]

    She’d probably give an evasive, perfectly calculated rejection.

    All the while thinking, "Ugh, now I’m entangled with my boss. This is really uncomfortable..."

    [You didn’t like Kibon?]

    [I did. But since he doesn’t exist, I need to erase those feelings too.]

    And she really would erase them. Just imagining it made him groan.

    I need to at least shrink the emotional distance a little first.

    He needed to get a bit closer to her as Kiaros.

    From the look of things, Namia was preparing to have the High Chancellor attack her tomorrow.

    If that succeeded, their relationship could change drastically starting the next day.

    He intended to make that happen.

    Yeah, I should probably start leaking something in advance.

    That was when the soft chime of a bell rang—ding-a-ling.

    It was the sound Namia used to summon Kibon. Kiaros stood up instinctively.

    “I’m going out.”

    “Yes, sir.”

    The aide bowed politely and exited.

    He didn’t know exactly what that bell was, but he’d picked up that whenever it rang, Kiaros would get tense and shoo everyone out.

    Left alone, Kiaros quickly changed form and even switched clothes.

    While I’m at it, I’ll leak a few secrets. Just a little... just a tiny bit.

    He was also determined to attempt what the romance master had recommended before confession: flirting.

    Of course it’ll be difficult. Namia’s a bit unusual. She’ll probably respond in a totally unexpected way. But I can’t get thrown off. I need to handle it well.

    It wouldn’t be an easy road. Kiaros steeled himself.

    ***

    Reformist faction headquarters.

    The executive meeting had just ended, and people were dispersing.

    The Reformists'' leader, Vivers Arwin, spoke in a low voice.

    “Aran, stay behind.”

    The tall woman with black hair tied up and striking blue eyes—Aran—nodded and sat back down. Soon the meeting room was empty except for the two of them.

    Vivers looked at Aran and spoke slowly.

    “I haven’t told the other executives yet, but the High Chancellor has secured Dragonblood from the palace. He’ll be bringing it soon—after he kills Kiaros.”

    The Reformists had roots spread all across the continent. But there was one requirement for becoming an executive.

    You had to undergo an experiment.

    It was both a rite of ideological commitment and a test of loyalty to the Reformist cause.

    Even the High Chancellor—who had healed and sheltered the Reformist remnants—was not exempt. He’d had to go through an experiment before becoming an executive.

    “He probably won’t take part in this next one, though. That guy is obsessed with the Ottom blood experiments.”

    The blood of the monster Ottom stopped aging and granted temporary bursts of monstrous strength.

    But the effects didn’t last long. You had to undergo another round at least once a year.

    The process was excruciating. Even as an executive, few volunteered easily. But driven by a desperate desire for youth, the High Chancellor had endured the experiment once a year without fail.

    “But Aran...”

    Vivers continued speaking to the silent Aran.

    “Neither the Magic Tower Lord’s blood nor the Dragonblood had any effect on you, right?”

    Aran’s position within the Reformists was ambiguous.

    Dragonblood and the Magic Tower Lord’s blood were rare. Unlike the more abundant monster blood, only tiny amounts existed.

    Still, Aran had been allowed to undergo both types of experiments. A reward for acquiring /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ the Magic Tower Lord’s blood.

    But even after all that, she had gained no abilities.

    “When the Dragonblood arrives... are you planning to volunteer for the experiment again?”